If you want to know how the sausage gets made, why editor-favorite Hot List hotels (and destinations) are popping up in our RCAs faster than ever, why we're so freaking excited that you, dear reader, voted a hotel like the

Sagamore Pendry Baltimore as the number one hotel in the U.S., listen in. And it's not just about hotels and resorts—though special brownie points to anyone who chastises us for how many times we say "property," a word that gives us travel editors the heebie-jeebies. Smaller cities like Puebla, Mexico; Nashville; Bruges, Belgium; and Minneapolis—because of their relative calm, creative class, and affordability—are on our readers' radar like never before. Plus, southeastern U.S. islands like Kiawah and Hilton Head are taking back the title from Hawaii thanks to their laid-back, family-friendly vibes. (Don't worry, Maui, we still love you.)

The OG team is back, too: Brad Rickman is joined by editor-in-chief Pilar Guzmán and service and surveys editor David Jefferys, plus Corina Quinn, senior editor for city guides. As always, shoutout to Brett Fuchs for recording and mixing the episode. Check back every Friday for the latest installment of Travelogue. To keep up with our podcast each week, subscribe to Travelogue on Spotify, the iTunes store, or the podcasting app of your choice. If you have a minute to spare, leave a review—we love getting your feedback.

Here's a list of the hotels and resorts we mentioned, in case you want to check them out for yourself: